my first pen -- looks like a clown vomited

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Well -- here it is. My first pen.
sick.gif


I can't wait till I get my carbide tool in the mail and actually cut this stuff properly. I think I'll need several more collets as well. Had a lot of trouble gripping the pieces after I got them turned down much past 3/4 inches.

Is it nice? No.
Does it work? Of course. That part's easy.
Where's the cap? It's late and I'm tired. Maybe this week sometime. :D
What's with this ugly acrylic? Well - it was sort of free. Came with my blank order. Using it up first. Ugly ugly stuff.
Did it all go as planned? No. As I was cutting the section threads where it goes into the barrel, the whole chunk of plastic broke off. Apparently the plastic was getting wider b/c I didn't cut it down thin enough to take the die. Super glue actually worked!

Am I proud? Not of the pen - but I am proud of the work I've done. I learned a lot today. It's VERY difficult to do anything with a three year old trying to watch. "No - get out of the shop."
tongue.gif



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I think looks good though not a easy thing to do. But has long as your having fun and learning that's all that counts. That is a funky blank. You could always enter it in ugly pen contest during birthday bash and maybe win 1st place.:biggrin::biggrin:
 
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wow talk about getting to next level quick. It may not be what you want but I agree alot is learned with the first few. Now I gotta play catch to you too.

Phil
 
Congrats on the first pen. The important things is just getting started. You will learn a lot very quickly and be able to refine your product quickly.

That is a unique blank. If you have more of that material, it might be fun to set enough for another pen aside, then come back in 6 months after you have fully developed your skills and make another pen with it to show your progress.
 
What the heck is that blank. I read the description and wasn't sure what to expect. My sides hurt! That is the most interesting resin blank I have ever seen!

"CLOWN VOMIT" ROFL!!!

Oh and I like your workmanship. I need some of these blanks to practice on... and hide! kitless is on my to do list in the next year.

Your source for this blank isn't on IAP are they?
 
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As been said, a difficult project for the first item. Threading the hollow form acrylic tube with out much prior experience really a great job. :highfive::star::highfive:
The bright colored blank may be a selling point for somebody in the painting or fashion business
:clown:
 
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Looks like you re off to a great start. Not all plastics take to turning/threading etc. the same way. Keep a notepad of what works and what did not, and do not lose it....
 
As it's already been said, it's a great start. After you finish this one, you'll be anxious to make another and, another.....:biggrin:
 
Shawn, jumping right into component less pens and coming out with your first all I can say is congratulations. Who cares what it looks like you've shown that you can do it and will improve with each try. Looking forward to your up coming pens, now go make a cap for Clown Vomit:biggrin:
 
I think you've done an amazing job for the short time you've been trying, Clown Vomit?? not sure about that but nice start. just keep going!!!
 
Clown vomit? That sounds HILARIOUS!!! I like it! Great workmanship on a funky blank.


You need to change your avatar back so we can compare. :biggrin:

Duly noted!:biggrin:

Clown vomit? That sounds HILARIOUS!!! I like it! Great workmanship on a funky blank.


You need to change your avatar back so we can compare. :biggrin:



:biggrin: :tongue: :laugh: :rotfl: :bananen_smilies051:
 
Excelent job - i wish i could even think about trying that. :cool:

As for the blank... well, i don't dislike it. It could have been trendy three decades ago and may well be in again sometime soon. :biggrin:
 
Well -- here it is. My first pen.
sick.gif


I can't wait till I get my carbide tool in the mail and actually cut this stuff properly. I think I'll need several more collets as well. Had a lot of trouble gripping the pieces after I got them turned down much past 3/4 inches.

Is it nice? No.
Does it work? Of course. That part's easy.
Where's the cap? It's late and I'm tired. Maybe this week sometime. :D
What's with this ugly acrylic? Well - it was sort of free. Came with my blank order. Using it up first. Ugly ugly stuff.
Did it all go as planned? No. As I was cutting the section threads where it goes into the barrel, the whole chunk of plastic broke off. Apparently the plastic was getting wider b/c I didn't cut it down thin enough to take the die. Super glue actually worked!

Am I proud? Not of the pen - but I am proud of the work I've done. I learned a lot today. It's VERY difficult to do anything with a three year old trying to watch. "No - get out of the shop."
tongue.gif

What are you using right now? If you are keeping your tools sharp, a carbide tool is not going to cut any better, just hold it's edge longer...
 
So got the cap made last night and I took it to school today and showed it to a kid (not worrying about her dropping it) and she dropped it.
roflmho.gif

Oh well. Put a little super glue and clamped it shut. It looks awful though. Oh well. It's just my first practice pen. No loss really.
I did get the section shortened and adjusted to accept the nib unit better.

So -- one down.
Now I'm starting on a pink and white stripe blank that's just bent like mad. What a pain to turn. BUT - I got my nifty woodchuck carbide tip chisel and it's AMAZING! Ate through that blank like it was nothing.

Resized to 94% (was 1000 x 374) - Click image to enlarge





The crack...
Resized to 94% (was 1000 x 750) - Click image to enlarge


And notice the nib unit sticking out. Ugh...





And fixed the section to take the nib unit better. But it doesn't fit up against the barrel too well. Made a little gap by accident. Oops.



Can't wait to make something worth making!
This is fun.

Now I've got to get a bigger tap and die for the barrel to cap threading. 10mm is just too small. I'm thinking 15mm. Make some nice fat pens.
 
For the first time trying you did absolutely excellent. You have overcome some of the most difficult parts to kit less pen making. The rest will fall in line quickly. Keep up the great work!
 
Thanks!
And don't worry about laughing - I sort of cringe when I look at it. Every time I pulled it out to write with yesterday at school I sort of cringed. At least I know how to tune a nib - it writes very well - but just looking at it... UGH.
 
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